From: trudie.Miller@cox.net   
      
   January 1st - St. Odilo of Cluny, OSB, Abbot (RM)   
      
   Born in Auvergne, France, c. 962; died at Souvigny, c. 1049. Saint Odilo was a   
   scion of the very aristocratic French family of Mercoeur. He joined the   
   monastery of Cluny when he was still very young. About 991, the abbot, Saint   
   Mayeul, named him coadjutor. Upon the Mayeul's death in 994, Odilo became   
   Cluny's fifth abbot.   
      
   During his 54 years in office he brought the other Cluniac houses into closer   
   and closer dependence upon the mother house, and increased the number of   
   foundations from 37 to 65. Among his general activities was the support he gave   
   to Abbot Richard of Saint-Vanne for the acceptance in France of the institution   
   called the Truce of God (Treuga Dei), whereby military hostilities were   
   regularly suspended at certain times (Fridays through Mondays, Advent, and   
   Lent). This measure had economic as well as religious and social significance   
   and also guaranteed sanctuary to those seeking refuge in a church. Odilo also   
   effectively promoted the Pactum Dei, whereby ecclesiastical persons and   
   property   
   were protected against attack in war.   
      
   In 998 (or 1031 by some accounts) he ordered that in all Cluniac houses   
   November   
   2, the day after the Feast of All Saints, should be observed in memory of and   
   prayer for all the dead; this observance, All Souls' Day, afterwards spread to   
   the whole Western Church.   
      
   Though he was a friend of princes and popes, he was exceedingly gentle and kind   
   and known throughout Christendom for his liberality to the needy. Odilo's   
   concern for the people was also shown by the lavish help he gave during several   
   famines, especially in 1006, when he sold Church treasures to feed the poor,   
   and   
   again from 1028-1033.   
      
   Saint Odilo's physical appearance was unimpressive, belying the strength of his   
   character. He practiced great personal austerities (he wore a hair-shirt and   
   studded iron chains) on himself, but liberality and kindness toward others. He   
   experienced ecstasies. It is obvious that he was beloved by his contemporaries;   
   Fulbert of Chartres surnamed Odilo "the Archangel of Monks."   
      
   Odilo united in his character gentleness with firmness, organizational skills   
   with the ability to reconcile enemies. His favorite saying is that he would   
   rather be damned for being too merciful than for being too severe. He promoted   
   the spirit of true monasticism and tried to remove its abuses. During his rule,   
   he sought to promote the close unity of Cluny and the Holy See.   
      
   It is appropriate that he should die during the Octave of Christmas because his   
   favorite topic for sermons was the mystery of the Incarnation. The place of the   
   Blessed Virgin was also worked out by Odilo, to whose writings the Mariology of   
   Saint Bernard owes much.   
      
   His duties involved him in much travelling about, though he was ill during the   
   last five years of his life. It was on a journey of inspection that he died, at   
   the priory of Souvigny; he was about 86 (Attwater, Benedictines, Delaney,   
   Encyclopedia, Farmer).   
      
      
   In art Saint Odilo is portrayed as a Benedictine abbot with a skull and   
   crossbones at his feet. Because he instituted the Feast of All Souls, at times   
   he may be shown (1) saying Mass with purgatory open at his side; or (2) with   
   angels releasing souls from purgatorial fire (Roeder). He is invoked on behalf   
   of souls in purgatory and against jaundice (Roeder).   
      
      
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   In the traditional cycle today is the Feast of the Circumcision of Our Lord.    
   In   
   the Old Law, by rite of Circumcision, every male Jew became a member and shared   
   in all the blessings and privileges of the chosen people of God.  A Jew who   
   failed to be initiated by the ceremony was excluded. Our Lord is the Son of God   
   by nature, and absolutely sinless, and therefore did not need adoption into the   
   membership of God's children.  Yet, he submitted to the Law.  Today the Church   
   also celebrates the Holy Name of Jesus, given at the rite of Circumcision.   
      
   In the new cycle, today is the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.  Always held   
   in   
   faith amongst the laity and clergy, Mary was declared Mother of God, by penalty   
   of anathema, for all Christendom at the Council of Ephesus in AD 431.   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   "What are all the gains, all the fortunes, all the offices and careers, even   
   all   
   the kingdoms of the world, compared to an offence against God, to a sin which   
   is   
   the greatest evil in the world? There is no work greater or more noble either   
   in   
   heaven or on earth than this: to prevent offences [sins] against God."   
   -St. Joseph Cafasso (Confessor, 1811-1860) - "The Priest The Man Of God. His   
   Dignity and Duties   
      
   Bible Quotes:   
   "I say to you that even so there shall be joy in heaven upon one sinner that   
   doth penance, more than upon ninety-nine just who need not penance"  (Luke   
   15:7)   
      
      
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   Pray this novena to end abortion   
      
   Pray the Memorare...   
      
   Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary that never was it known   
   that anyone who fled to Your protection, implored Your help,   
   or sought Your intercession was left unaided.   
   Inspired with this confidence, we fly to you, O Virgin of virgins, our Mother.   
   To You we come; before You we stand, sinful and sorrowful.   
   O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not our petitions,   
   but in Your mercy, hear and answer us. Amen.   
      
   Then pray...   
      
   "Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!"   
   "Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!"   
   "Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!"   
   for all unborn children,   
   for women who have had an abortion   
   and for the conversion of all pro-choice advocates.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)